UPDATED: Gas Leak Shuts Down Arlington Road Near Downtown Bethesda

(UPDATE: 12:50 p.m.) A punctured gas line in front of the old Bethesda Post Office on Arlington Road had closed the busy street in both directions and forced Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services to evacuate all businesses in the area.

A construction worker doing advance work before the planned teardown of the Post Office reportedly punctured a two-inch gas line in front of the property at 7001 Arlington Road.

Arlington Road is closed from Bethesda Avenue to Bradley Boulevard and MCFRS personnel have also closed westbound Bethesda Avenue at Arlington Road.

A Washington Gas crew arrived at the scene around 12:30 p.m. Avoid the area, as repair work is expected to take at least the next few hours.